Greater New Orleans

Singer Patti LaBelle, seen performing at the New Orleans Arena in 2012, has signed on to appear in four episodes of "American Horror Story: Freak Show," currently in production in New Orleans. She also will perform at the UNO Lakefront Arena on Aug. 31. (NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune archive)
(NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune archive)

Patti LaBelle, the R&B legend known to New Orleanians for her lead vocals on "Lady Marmalade" and countless performances including Essence Music Festival, is about to get freaky. As in "American Horror Story: Freak Show," the fourth installment of the Emmy Award-winning horror anthology series on FX network.

LaBelle has signed on to join the cast as the mother of the character played by Gabourey Sidibe, according to multiple media reports Tuesday (Aug.12), including TVLine.com. Sidibe, like other actors on the show, played a character in the previous season, "Coven," which was set in New Orleans.

LaBelle will appear in four episodes for "Freak Show," which, while not set in New Orleans, is currently in production in the city but is being set in Jupiter, Fla., in the 1950s and focuses on the last remaining members of a carnie troupe.

TVLine's Michael Ausiello reports:

"According to an insider, LaBelle's alter ego — who I'm told does not sing — is a local townsperson who begins to unravel the murderous secrets of Twisty the clown killer."